Measuring apparatus



Nqv. 15, 1938; v R. E. WOO'LLEY 0 MEASURI NG- APPARATUS Filed May 51,1934 2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR Rew Ewooney Nov. 15, 1938. v R wooL2,136,900

MEASURING APPARATUS Fild May 31, 1934 2 Shee ts-Sheet 2 V INVENTOR i RewE. Woolley Y 7 www- Patented Nov. l5, 1938 MEASURING APPARATUS Row E.Woolley, Shaker Belgium-Ohio, asslgnor to Bailey Meter Company, acorporation of Del- Application May 31, 1934, Serial No. 728,352 9Claims. (01. 177-351) This invention relates to apparatus for measuringthe value of variable quantities, qualities or conditions, andparticularly for automatically compensating for changes in condition orquality of a, quantity which is to be measured. The quantity to bemeasured may desirably be a fluid rate of flow and the variablecondition or quality of the fluid flow may, for example, be density,pressure, temperature, heatcontent or other condito tion or qualityunder which the flow is measured,

of a type wherein a differential pressure bearing" a known relation tothe rate of flow is produced by the flow through a constriction in theconduit 2o such as an orifice, flow nozzle, or a Venturi tube. Theactual weight of the fluid flowing through the restriction is not only afunction of the difierence in pressure at opposite sides of v therestriction,

but .for any given value of pressure differential 25 varies with thedensity of the fluid.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a new and novel rate offlow meter, particularly adapted for remote indication or totalizing.

A further object is to provide a simplified com- 30 pensator for a rateof flow meter to automatically and continuously compensate forvariations in density of the flowing fluid.

Still another object is to provide means for continuously taking intoaccount in the measure- 35 ment of a variable, the variations iiiconditions or deviations from predetermined condition upon which themeasurement is based orto which the measurement is to be referred.

A further object is to continuously provide a no measurement such as,for example, E. t. u. which is dependent not only upon the rate oisupply of a quantity but also upon one or more variable qualities orconditions of the quantity.

Further objects will become apparent from a 45 study of the drawings andspecification to follow, as well as the claims appended hereto which arenot to be limited by the specific embodiments illustrated and described.i

In the drawings:

n Fig. 1 represents somewhat diagrammatically to Fig. .2is adiagrammatic repreluenti'ition oi a flow meter wherein the quantitymeasurement is continuously compensated for variations in value ofpressure and temperature.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a. variable such as the rate of-flow of afluid through a conduit-l is 5 desirably measuredto continuouslyindicate and record the rate of flow and integrate with respect to timeto give a total quantity of the fluid passing a given point during aspecified interval of time, such as the interval between two readings ofthe integrator register. I show positioned within the conduit l, a flownozzle 2 forming a restriction to flow through the conduit and forcreating thereby a. pressure differential across the flow nozzle bearinga known relation to the rate of fluid flow therethrough'. From theconduit l at opposite sides of the flow nozzle 2, I lead the pressurepipes t and t to a rate of flow meter indicated in general at l.

Such a rate of flow meter may be of the liquid sealed bell type asdisclosed in the patent to Ledoux 1,064,748 wherein the bell is shapedand has walls of material thickness, to the endthat the positioning ofthe bell is in direct proportion to the rate of fluid flow, therebycorrecting for the I quadratic relation which exists between rate offiuidfiow through such a iiow nozzle and differential pressure resultingtherefrom. e bell is shown at t diagrammatically in'dotted line and maybe sealed by a liquid such as mercury whose approxite level within andwithout the bell is indicated.

Pressure within the conduit l ahead of the flow nozzle 2 is efiectivethrough the pipe it upon the interior of! the bell t, while pressure atthe outlet of the flow nozzle i is effective through the pipe t upon theexterior of the hell it, to the end that the bell is positionedvertically by the pressure clifierentiai across the flow nozzle, and inlinear relation to the rate oi flow of the fluid. to

Such a vertical positioning of the .bell results in angular positioning,about a, fixed fulcrum point ll. of an arm t for transmitting motionfrom the hell to the 1. .1:; it of the fulcrum l, for positioning anwhose function will be explained hereinafter, and for positioning anindicating pen and pointer it cooperating with an index ii. The pen itis further adapted to record over a circular recording chart it which isdesirably driven uniformly at a constant speed by a cloclr motor it.

At zero rate of fiow as indicated, the arm 9 is substantially horizontaland the pen I 0 indicates zero rate of flow relative to the index ll andchart I! 2. As fluid commences to flow through- 5 5 the conduit and therate of flow increases toward a maximum, the bell 3 rises due to thediiferential pressure applied thereto, and causes a clockwise rotationof the arms 3 and 3 about the pivot 1. Such a rate of flow meter isusually designed to read in weight equivalent of volume at a densitycorresponding to certain temperature and prescording to the deviation.It will be appreciated that steam at a greater pressure than apredetermined value will be of a greater density and at a greatertemperature than the predetermined value will be of a. lesser density.

I illustrate diagrammatically an arrangement whereby an indication offluid rate of flow by the meter 5 is automatically and continuouslycompensated, for deviations from predetermined value of both pressureand temperature of the steam within the conduit I. At |4, I indicate aBourdon tube connected by the pipe l5 to the conduit and responsive tostatic pressure of the steam. At N, I indicate a similar Bourdon tubeforming a part of a temperature sensitive system, of which I! is thebulb positioned within the conduit sensitive to the temperature of thesteam.

Pivotally connected to the movable ends of the Bourbon tubes l4, I3 is alink l3, and to a point intermediate the ends of the link I3 ispivotally connected one end of a floating beam.

IS. the other end of which is pivoted intermediate the ends of a link20. The lower end of the link 20 carries a roller or pin adapted to bemoved in a slot 22 of the arm 3. The upper end of the link 2|! ispivotally joined to a beam 2| which in turn is pivoted intermediate itsends at a fixed pivot 23.

The arrangement is such that when the fluid rate oi flow is at zero, andpressure and temperature are of predetermined value, as shown in Fig. 1,then the arm 3 is substantially horizontal and the link 20 substantiallyvertical. If the rate of flow increases from zero, the link 20 is movedsubstantially vertically upward, positioning the beam 2| in a clockwisedirection around its pivot 23. A variation from predetermined value ofeither the temperature or pressure of the steamwill cause a positioningof the beamwherein its lowermost end swings along; the slot 22, with itsuppermost end pivoted to the beam 2|. This action is equivalent tovarying the moment arm of the arm 3 between its connection to the link20. and its pivot pblnt I.

As illustrated. if pressure of the steam increases, or temperature ofthe steam decreases, in either event denoting an increase in density ofthe steam, the beam I! will be moved toward the left, thus lengtheningthe moment arm of the arm 8, and thus increasing the vertical movementof the link 20 for any given change in rate of fluid flow, whereby therate of fluid flow, in

terms of pounds, is multiplied by a correction factor greater thanunity.

Angular positioning of the beam 2| about its pivot 23 results invertical motion of a pivoted link 24, to the lower end of which issuspended one end of a floating beam 25 carrying a mirror 26. The otherend of the beam 25 is pivotally connected to a' link 21 which is freelysuspended from a beam 28 pivoted at its other end .to a flxed pivot 29.The beam 28 is held in any given position by the opposing forces of asolenoid 30 and a spring 3|.

It will be seen that angular positioning of the mirror 26 isaccomplished by variations in fluid rate of flow, steam pressure, and/orsteam temperature. However, if the fluid rate'of flow is at zero, thensteam pressure and steam temperature may vary in any amount without af-'fecting a movement of the miror 26, for the link 20 .is merely swungabout its pivoted connection with the beam 2|, along the slot 22,without causing angular motion of the beam 2|. If, however, the fluidrate oi. flow is at any point above zero, then the arm 9 being at aninclination to the horizontal, positions the slot 22 so that deviationof temperature and/orpressure from design value and correspondingmovement of the link 20 will cause a vertical movement of the link as ittravels up or down the arcuate slot 22 and coresponding angularpositioning of the beam 2| around its pivot 23.

At 32 I indicate a light source directed upon the mirror 26, from whichit is reflected on the photo cells 33, 34. Transformer 35 suppliesvoltage to the photo cells from a power source 36. Electron dischargedevice 31, having a grid 38 and plate 39, is shown with the grid 33connected intermediate the photo cells 33, 34. The plate circuit of theelectron discharge device 31 includes the winding of solenoid 30, thesecondary of transformer 40, an indicator 4|, a recorder 42 and anintegrator 43.

The electron discharge device is a regulating tube under grid control,wherein the proportionality of light falling upon the potato cells 33,34 varies the grid voltage to control the passage of current in theplate circuit above a minimum which may be zero. When the system is in abalanced condition, the mirror 26 throws light in a predeterminedsubstantially equally distributed amount upon the two photo cells 33,34, and the instruments 4|, 42 and 43 are adjusted to indicate propervalue in terms of fluid rate of flow.

The indicator 4| and recorder 42 are arranged to indicate and recordfluid rate of flow corrected for temperature and pressure to design orpredetermined values. The integrator 43 is adapted to give a continuousintegration of fluid rate of flow relative to time in terms ofpredetermined density conditions of the fluid. It is, of course,apparent'that these instruments may be calibrated in terms of B. t'. u.or otherwise as desired. These instruments are in series with each otherin the plate circuit and are of the ampere hour type and may be of atype substantially independent of voltage variations. However, to avoidcomplicating the wiring diagramfi l'have indicat-ed them onlydiagrammatically and have not felt it necessary to illustrate theinternal structure or connections, as such instruments are well known inthe art.

The operation is as follows: Asuming that the fluid rate of flow is atzero value, then all variations in temperature and pressure of the fluidwill have no eifect upon the position of the mirror 26 and will causetherebmno unbalance of i the electricalcircuit. The indicator 4| andrecorder-42 will read at zero, and the integrator 5 43 willnot berotating. The'pen III of the flow meter 5 will read at zero relative tothe index ii and recording chart 1!.

If now, the fluid rate of flow increases to some value above zero, andthe temperature and pressure of the fluid remain at predetermined value,

then the mirror 26 will be moved in a counterclockwise direction aroundthe joining pivot of the parts 25, 21, deflecting the light from thesource 32 to a greater extent upon the photo cell 34 than upon-the photocell 33. This causes an unbalance whereby the grid voltage of theelectron discharge device 3i varies the passage of current through theplate circuit in an increasing direction, and such increase in currentinthe plate circuit results in a movement of the indicator 4i andrecorder 42 to values representative of the fluid rate of flow, and theintegrator 43 rotates at a speed dependent upon the fluid rate of flow.At the same time, this current flow through the solenoid produces anincreased pull whereby the beam 28 is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection around its pivot 29 and opposed by the spring 3i, until themirror 26 is positioned to substantially its previous position and thebalance of light be- 30 tween the photo cells 33, 34' is restored. When35 integration of the fluid rate of flow relative to time.

If for any fluid rate of flow above zero the pressure and/or temperatureof steam deviate from design values, then -a compensation is, effectedas 4 a movement of the mirror 26, in effect multiplying the flowreadings by a value above or below unity, f dependent upon the amount ofcorrection necessary for the density change.

It will be observed that the index I I and recordi'ng chart I! are to beread in values of fluid rate of flow uncorrected for temperature and/orpressure deviations from design value, whereas the indicator 4|, therecorder 42 and the integrator 43 are to be read in terms of fluid-rateof flow corrected for changes in temperature and/or pressure from designvalue, and may be calibrated to read in terms of B. t. u. or otherwiseas desired.

1 'InFig. 2 I illustrate a further embodiment of my invention whereinthe compensation of flow for vpressure and temperature deviations isaccomplished electrically rather than mechanically as in Fig. 1. In Fig.1, I apply to the linkagea compensation dependent upon the position ofthe Bourdon tubes l4, l5, representative of pressure and temperaturerespectively. In Fig. 2 I show three similar electrical circuits, onecontrolled according to fluid rate oi! flow, asecond according to fluidpressure, and a third according to fluid temperature. The three circuitsare similar and are similar to the one illustrated in Fig. 1.

I have not felt it necessary in this illustration to show the completeflow meter nor the fluid conduit and connections to the pressure andtemperature Bourdon tubes. It is suflicient to say 7 that they aresimilar to the illustration of Fig. 1."-

The beam 44 corresponds to the arm 9' and is,

a apted to be positioned around the pivot 1 in a clockwise direction foran increase in rate of flow. The resulting movement of the mirror 26 isas 75. described for Fig. 1. Herein, however, the inintegrator 51.device 31C, after leaving the recorder 5|, is led in I dicator 45, therecorder 45 and the integrator 4'! are adapted to read in terms of fluidrate of flow uncorrected for deviations in temperature and/or pressure.

The Bourdon tube I4, responsive to pressure, is adapted to position themirror 35Aand control the grid voltage of the electron discharge device313, .as previously explained. The indicator 45 and recorder 49 read interms of steam pressure.

The Bourdon tube l5, positioned responsive to steam temperature, isadapted to position the mirror 263 for control of the grid voltage ofthe electron discharge device 31C. The indicator 5!! and recorder 5| areadapted to read in terms oi steam temperature.

It will be observed that the plate circuit of the device 31A, afterleaving the integrator 41, is carried through a pair of coils 52 of anindicator 53, then in series through a pair of coils 54 of a recorder55, and in series through a pair of coils 55 01 an integrator 51, beforejoining the solenoid winding 30A. Likewise, the plate circuit of thedevice 313 is led in series from the recorder 49 through the indicator53, the recorder 55, and the Likewise, the plate circuit of the seriesthrough the indicator 53, the recorder-55, and the integrator 51.

The indicator 53, the recorder 55, and the integrator 51 aremulti-circuit instruments of the balanced relay type, such as apolyphase watt hour meter wherein the multi-windings algebraically addup. The indicator and recorder are designed with springs to opposetendency to rotation of the discs where such rotation is urged by thecoils 52,.54, etc. The resulting angular positioning of the discs andthe shafts on which they are carried causes the positioning of a pointerin the case of the indicator 53 and of the recording pen in the case ofthe recorder 55, forindicating and recording the rate of steam flowcorrected for temperature and pressure deviations from design value.correspondingly, the integrator 51, which has a register and whose shaftrotates at a speed determined by the relative values of the currentflowing through its coils, is adapted to continuously integrate thefluid rate of flow in terms of design pressure and temperature or interms of B. t. u. a

It will be observed, then, that the indicator 45, the recorder 45, andthe integrator 41 read in terms of fluid rate of flow uncorrected fortemperature and pressure deviations. The indicator 48 and the recorder49 read interms of steam pressure. The indicator 5D and recorder 5| readin terms of steam temperature. The indicator 53, recorder 55, andintegrator 51 read in terms of steam flow corrected for temperature andpres-' sure deviations from design value, or these latter instrumentsmay be calibrated to read in terms of B. t. u. or otherwise as desired.

It will be noted that any of the indicating, recording, or integratinginstruments referred to may be located adjacent to the meters, or remotethereto, or to each other.

It is, oi! course, to be understood that the fluid flowing through theconduit I need not be ste m or water but may be any fluid. That thevariable conditions or qualities need not be temperature or pressure,and in fact, that the quantity to be compensated need I not be a fluidrate of flow. While I have illustrated and described certain preferredembodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I amjto belimited only by the claims in view 01 prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is:

1. In combination, an electron discharge device having an input and anoutput circuit, a movable member, means for positioning one end of saidmember solely in accordance with the magnitude of a variable, means forpositioning the other end of said member solely in accordance with thecurrent in the output circuit of said device, a photo-electric devicefor electrically controlling said input circuit, means carried by saidmember for controlling light on said photo-electric device in accordancewith the position of said \member, and exhibiting means of the currentin,

all of said means, a movable member, one end of said .movable memberoperatively connected to said first member, an electron discharge devicehaving a grid, a cathode, and an anode, means for positioning theopposite end of said movable member in accordance with the current inthe cathode-anode circuit of said device, a pair of photo-electric cellsoppositely arranged in series for electrically controllingthe gridpotential of said electron discharge device, means positioned by saidmovable member for differentially controlling the light directed on saidphoto cells, whereby a change in position of said movable member by saidcondition and/or quantity responsive means in given direction produces achange in current in a predetermined sense in said anode-cathodecircuit, positioning the opposite end of said movable member in adirection to produce a change in current in opposite sense; andexhibiting means sensitive to the current in said cathode-anode circuit.

3. Apparatus for continuously measuring a quantity in terms of standardconditions comprising in combination, means responsive to the magnitudeof the quantity, means separately responsive to departure of theconditions each from a standard, a first member jointly positioned -byall of said means, a movable member, one end photo-electric cellsoppositely arranged in series for electrically controlling the gridpotential of said electron discharge device, means angularly positionedby said movable member for differentially controlling the light directedon said photo cells and exhibiting means sensitive to the current insaid cathode-anode circuit.

4. In apparatus for continuously measuring a variable, in combination. amember angularly positioned from an initial position in accordance withthe sense and magnitude of a change in said variable, an electrondischarge device having a grid, cathode and anode, a pair ofphoto-electric cells oppositely arranged in series for electricallycontrolling the grid potential of said device, means for differentiallycontrolling the light directed on said photo cells in accordance withthe angular position of said .member, means for partially restoring saidmember to the initial position upon departure therefrom comprising elec-5. Apparatus for continuously measuring a 5 variable comprisingincombination, means responsive to the magnitude of the variable, a. firstmember positioned by said means, a movable member, one end of saidmovable member operatively connected to said first member, an electrondischarge device having a grid, a cathode, and an anode, means forpositioning the opposite end of said movable member in accordance withthe current in the cathode-anode circuit of said device, a pair ofphotoelectric cells oppositely arranged in series for electricallycontrolling the grid potential of said electron discharge device, meanspositioned by said movable member for differentially controlling thelight directed on said photo cells, whereby a change in position of saidmovable member by said variable responsive means in given directionproduces a change in current in a predetermined sense in saidanodecathode circuit, positioning the opposite end of said movablemember in a direction to produce a change in current in opposite sense;and exhibiting means sensitive to the current in said cathode-anodecircuit.

6. Apparatus for continuously measuring the magnitude of a variablecomprising in combination, a movable member, means for positioning oneend of said member in proportion to changes in magnitude of the variableabout the opposite end as a center of rotation, spring loadedelectromagnetic means for positioning said opposite end of said memberabout the first end as a center of rotation in accordance with thecurrent in said electromagnetic means, an electron discharge devicehaving a grid, a cathodeand an anode, said electromagnetic meansconnected in the anodecathode circuit, measuring means of the current insaid anode-cathode circuit, a pair of photoelectric cells, a connectionbetween the anode of.

one photoelectric cell and the. cathode of the other, a connectionbetween said first connection and said grid whereby the grid potentialis varied relative to the cathode potential in accordance with thedifference in high frequency energy impressed upon said photo cells, asource of high frequency energy, reflecting means carried by saidmovable member intermediate its ends for controlling the relativeintensity of high frequency energy on said photoelectric cells wherebychanges in position of said movable member in one direction by saidfirst named means effects a change in current in the output circuit ofsaid electron discharge device causing a proportionate positioning ofthe opposite end of said member in opposite direction.

7. Apparatus for continuously measuring a variable, comprising incombination, a diiierential member, a point on said member positionedsolely in accordance with changes in the value of the variable,electromagnetic means, a second point on said member positioned solelyby said electro- *magnetic means, an electron discharge device,

means under the control of said member for establishing a current in theoutput circuit of said device proportional to the position of saidmember, exhibiting means of the value of the variable; said exhibitingmeans and electromagnetic means in series in the output circuit of saiddevice.

8. Apparatus for continuously measuring a variable comprising incombination, an electron circuit, a difierential member, a point on saidmember positioned solely in accordance with changes in the value of thevariable, means sensitive to the current in the output circuit of saidelectron discharge device, a second point on said member positionedsolely by said last named means, means under the control of said memberfor establishingan input circuit potential pro-' portional to theposition of said member, and exhibiting means sensitive 'to .the currentin said output circuit. a v

9. In an apparatus for continuously measuring a variablein terms ofstandard conditions,

in combination, means separately respgnsive to departure of theconditions each from a'standard and to the variable, means including amember having a point positioned solely by said last named means, anelectron discharge device having an input and an output circuit,electromagnetic means responsive to the current in the output circuit, asecond point on said member positioned solely by saidelectromagnetid'means, means under the control of said member forregulating the input circuit of said device and exhibiting meanssensitive to the current in the output circuit of said device. a

' REW E. WOOILE),

